DC-G wrestlers get win over Oskaloosa before districts

The DC-G wrestling team traveled to Oskaloosa on Feb. 6 for a meet that was rescheduled from Jan. 16 and came away with a 42-27 win and improved their record to 11-5 on the season.

With just two matches to go the score was tight with the Mustangs ahead of the Indians just 32-27 but DC-G’s Zac Ross (138) sealed it for the Mustangs winning by fall over Davide Alessi to give them an insurmountable 38-27 lead. DC-G’s Dallas Miles (145) defeated Hunter Simmons by major decision 11-1 in the final match of the dual.

DC-G coach Clint Knoll said that he "wasn’t too pleased" after the meet because they lost a lot of matches he thought they should’ve won.

"It’s the time of year when you have to find a way to win the close matches," Knoll said.

"We have talked a lot about that and it was disappointing not to go out and do that in all the matches."

Blake Wolinski (170), Dakota Clausen (182), Cole Baker (220) and Bryce Shutt (285) all won by fall as well while Bryce Murano (113) and Trevor Murano (120) both won by major decision.

The Mustangs were originally supposed to have the week off from meets but Knoll thought the extra meet was a good thing since they came out of it healthy.

"We were a bit concerned with the risk of injuries going into that meet with distrcits so close, but we came out okay," he said.

"It’s impossible to simulate meet competition in practice so I think overall it was a positive for us."

In the last 3A rankings by The Predicament on Jan. 23, the Mustangs had three wrestlers ranked in the top 10 at their respective weight classes. Trevor Murano is ranked No. 3 at 120 pounds, Blake Wolinski is No. 8 at 170 pounds and Cole Baker is No. 7 at 220 pounds.

Knoll said that those guys are "just trying to keep it going" as they go into districts on Saturday in Johnston for a chance to wrestle at the state tournament.

"They are ready to go and they just need to show up and get the job done at Districts and then the same thing at state," Knoll said.

"The message to those guys and all our guys is that you are a big win from going to state and a tough loss away from staying home."